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the valley, at its junction with Little Borrowdale. There is a
good inn here, where parties may form head quarters, while
visiting the vicinity. Behind the house is a Roman Station, now
called Castle Field, consisting of a square inclosure, 360 feet
in length, and 300 in breadth. On the sides facing the east,
north, and west, are the remains of the walls; and on the latter
side, the traces of two fosses. Where the east gate stood, is a
stone, which was dug out a few years ago, and it is evidently one
of the original sockets, the groove for the hinge remaining as
perfect as if freshly cut. Sherds of Roman pottery have been
found; and a silver coin of the reign of Aurelian. From the style
of the cutting or quartering of the facing stones, (many of which
have been used in building the outhouses, in order to preserve
them,) there is no doubt that this station is coeval with
Overborough, and is the site of the long lost and much disputed
Alone. The very name seems to warrant this opinion; for it
is the first station on the Lune (or Lone); and what so natural
as to give it the title from the river which watered its walls?
The remains of several buildings have been discovered between the
eastern wall and the river.
From Borrow Bridge, The Black Force and Cautley Spout may be
conveniently visited; but only by pedestrians.
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THE BLACK FORCE is a place frequented by few but the shepherds,
and should not be attempted without a guide. It is a most
terrific scene when visited in an evening. An enormous hollow in
the mountain, about a quarter of a mile in length, and of an
immense depth, yawns before you. You enter, and find a chasm,
whose black walls seem to reach the top of the hill; at the
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